Internal expanding line-up pipe clamp



July 27, 1955 A .1. s. WORK ETAL 3,197,195

INTERNAL EXFANDING LINE-UP PIPE CLAMP I Filed May 25. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l @di N w N mi Nv NN mN mgm E vNJ NN mN m/WW N wir e NN QWH m bm. u NM m HV B w@ E4 Y (N E July 27, 1965 .1. s. woRK ETAL INTERNAL EXPANDING LINE-UP PIPE CLAMP 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25. 1961 s K mg www W 5.# M

MW. fooi w Traz/VEYS July 27, 1965 J. s. WORK ETAL.

INTERNAL EXPANDING LINE-UP PIPE CLAMP 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25, 1961 @dum mm.. L.

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July 27, 1965 J. s. WORK ETAL 3,197,195

INTERNAL EXPANDING LINE-UP PIPE CLAMP Filed May 25. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Trae/Veys.

This invention relates to an internal expanding line-up pipe clamp, and has as its primary object the provision of an improved pipe clamp of this character which will line up adjacent ends of pipes prior to welding the pipes together and maintain the pipes in juxtaposed relation during the welding operation.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of an improved pipe clamp of this character which constitutes an improvement over the pipe clamp shown in my prior Patent No. 2,878,770 issued March 24, 1959.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an internal expanding line-up pipe clamp of this character which is readily portable and which is provided with a self-propelled frame structure for moving the entire clamping assembly interiorly of the pipe.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of an electro-magnetically operated brake or locking mechanism for expanding the clamping shoes interiorly of a pipe to securely clamp the same in position internally of the pipe sections to be welded.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a retractable front wheel assembly by means of which are the wheels retracted from contact with the interior of the pipe when the clamping mechanism is expanded.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a dog assembly adjacent the bottom of the clamping mechanism to prevent a rearward drifting of the apparatus prior to clamping.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a four-way electro-magnetically actuated valve mechanism for expanding the clamping mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of this character having a back-up plate which is preferably of copper, bronze, brass or other non-ferrous metal, plastic or the like, which will stand up under the heat of the welding operation.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved means for self-propulsion of the device, which may be attached and detached from the pipe clamping assembly as desired.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in operation, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, assemble, and utilize.

Additional objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FlGURE l is a side elevational view of one form of device embodying features of the instant inventive concept shown interiorly of a pipe comprised of lengths to be welded, the latter being shown in section;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along the line 2 2 of FIG. l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

@site States Patent O 3.,l9,7,l95 Patented July 27, 1965 lCe FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 5 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 6 of FIG. l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FlGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 7 7 of FIG. 6 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 8 8 of FIG. l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, certain parts being omitted for the sake of clarity in illustration;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along the line 9 9 of FIG. 8 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE l0 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line lll-10 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE ll discloses a modified form of front end construction wherein the top and bottom clamping sections are slightly different in coniiguration; and

FIGURE 12 is a front view in elevation of FIGURE l1 taken on lines 12 l2 in the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the device is generally indicated at and is comprised of an annular back-up plate, generally indicated at 2l., and to be more fully described hereinafter, which is adapted to be located at the Well line 22 of a pair of adjacent pipe sections 23 and 24. The back-up plate 21 is comprised of two oppositely disposed arcuate side sections 25 which are substantially identical and a top segment 26 and a bottom segment 27 forming a substantially complete circular plate having an open center 28. Each of the segments includes spaced angular anges 29 and an internal rim 3d, the rim being adapted for the reception of inserts 31 held in position by screws or bolts 32 of FIGURE 3. These inserts are of any desired heat resistant material, such as copper, bronze, brass, or any suitable non-ferrous metal, plastic, or other synthetic product which is sufi".- ciently heat resistant to stand up under the heat produced by the welding operation.

The bottom segment 27 is connected by means of a pin 35 to the bottom of a hydraulic cylinder Se, within which there is a reciprocable piston 37 connected to a piston rod 33. The piston rod 33 is in turn through a threaded adjusting member 39 connected to the top segment 26.

A cross arm lil is pivotally mounted as on a pivot ed to the piston rod 3S, and has pivotally connected thereto at its opposite ends, as by means of pivots el, links 42 which are in turn pivotally connected by means of pivots 43 to the side sections 2S. The arrangement is thus such that, when the piston 37 is moved hydraulically toward the upper end of the cylinder 36, in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter, all ofthe sections 25, 26, and 27 move radially outwardly to engage the interior of the pipe sections 23 and 24 adjacent the well line 22.

Extending forwardly from the frame flange 29 there are a plurality of arcuate arms d5, which converge at a forward point in a ring 46, to which there is attached, as by means of a universal joint 47, an operating rod d8 at the extremity of which there is control hand wheel 49. The hand wheel i9 has thereon a plurality of control buttons El), the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

Traveling rollers 55 are provided for the device and are mounted on bolts or axles 56 which are secured to forwardly extending arcuate lugs 57, the lugs being attached, as by welding, to crescent-shaped plates 59, which o L Y in turn are secured to the lower ends of the opposite side sections 25. Bolts 69 extend through openings 61 in the opposite sides of the bottom segment 27 so that limited sliding movement is permitted the rollers when the side section 25 and bottom segment of the backup plate are moved to clamping position; the rollers being retracted when the side section and bottom segment are in clamping position, and extending to the position of FGURES l and 2 into engagement with'the sides of the pipe side section and bottom segment of the back-up plate are retracted to permit the device to travel along interiorly of the pipe.

A braking device is also provided and takes the form of an L-shaped member 6G', which is pivotally mounted on a pivot 61 between a pair of forwardly extending lugs 62 and have arcuate under surfaces 65 which serve as skids or guides. The L-shaped member 64 has its upright leg secured, as by a spring 65 to a lug 65 on the front ange 29, and at its lower extremity on the outer tace has a tool steel point 67 which is adapted to engage the bottom surface of the pipe through which the apparatus is being moved when the clamping members are in retracted or traveling position. When the clamping members and particularly the lower segment 27, are expanded, the braking device assumes the position shown in dotted lines in FlG. 4, substantially ilush with the frame so as tobe out of the way.

Extending rearwardly from the inner or rear flange 29 there are a pair of lower supporting members 7%, from which a pair of arculately disposed upwardly positioned supporting members 7l extend rearwardly and convergingly upwardly to the top of a vertically positioned plate 72, which is supported on a transversely positioned plate '73 and secured between the ends of the members 75l. A supporting plates 74 is provided across the members 7i? adjacent their rear ends and moves an electric motor 75. This motor 75 is controlled by one of the push buttons 50 through a cable 93. An air motor may be substituted for electric motor '75, if desired. l

rl-he motor 75 operates a hydraulic uid pump in a casing 76, from which a line 77 leads to a tour-way valve 73, which is electrically actuated through a valve motor 79. A return line d@ leads to a multiple valve 1S@ from which a line luft leads bacli to casing 7o. From valve a line @l leads to one end of the hydraulic cylinder 36 and a second line SZ leads to the opposite end thereof through a pressure relief valve Lidl for actuating piston 37 to unclanip or clamp the several clamping sections 251-25, 26 and 27. A return line 172 extendsirom relier valve lili to multiple valve 80. An auxiliary or booster pump is driven by an electric motor ld and has connected thereto a pressure line llwvhich extends through a cli-eck valve i556 to line 77, the latter being also provided with a check valve 37. A return line extends from the multiple valve back to booster pump 153. Suite le electric connections (not shown) are provided for both pumps and the booster pump 133 is cut in, when the clamping sections are moved into position, to accelerate this action. The main pump 76 provides sutlicient pressure for holding the device after the initial clamping action.

A front pair ot uprights S51-g5 are secured to the arcuate supporting members 7l, and also a rear pair of uprights ilo-Se which together serve to support a platform 67, on which there is mounted an electromagnet il. The plunger e9 of this electro-magnet has attached to the end thercor a braking disc 9d, which abuts the assembly against the wall of the pipe interiorly thereof.

Reinforcing members 92H. extend between the arcuate supporting members '7l- 7l and the platform S7. Electrical power is supplied to the electro-magnet through an electrical cable 97., and similarly electrical power is supplied to the main pump motor 75 and switch actuator 79 through the conduit and a cable 94.

a pair of rearwardly extending lugs tEd-$5 on site sides oft1^ vertical center line, which mount axle n rollers 97, which serveto support frame interioriy of the pipe.

An arm is pivoted as at 59 to a rearwardly projecting lug lil@ on the vertically positioned plate 7?., and carries at its upper end a roller, which bears against the top oi the pipe. A coil spring is coni ected between the arm 93 and the plate and biases the roller lill upwardly into engagement with the top of the pipe.

A self-propelling attachable and detachable un. erally indicated at E35, is secured to the rear ot the trarne, a pair of lugs lltn being provided on the transver ely positioned plate 73 pins itt? oi correspof ouned on a e f havi g thereon ear end of the .s which are le propelling unit.

rame includes two rearwardly extending members liti-dit, upon which there is mounted a plate having thereon an axle 12T., which at its outer Ynds 1s supported on driving wheels Mi-T3. it tlf. at the rear end of the i F l secured trarne ci hereto a longitudinali extend' upports on a pivot l. 'f extremity a roller ll, of the pipe vfor iasing the driving wheel with the lower surface.

:inch pivotally nto Contact Y ting members t of upright H4 to the forward extremities of the members Ait). A second plate is mounted on the r arwardly extending members an electric driving motor l2?. which, through a shaft and a clutch and the latter in turn transmitn motion to axle 1.2 for driving the wheels lfl. .Electrical power is supplied to the driving rnotor ZZ through a cable The entire operation of the dvice may be controlled by suitable buttons Si) previously located, as described. Obviously, an air motor supplied with air under pressure through a suitable line may be substituted for the electric drive motor E22, if desired.

FlGS. ll and l2 disclose a modified form of front end construction, wherein the top and bottom clamping sections 25a and 27a are sl' tly different in conliguration, as are the side plates 25a. The latter however have the flanges thereon as before. They are, however, operated in the same manner uy a substantially identical linkage comprised of links 42a and a central link member ieu mounted on a piston shaft which is operated by a cylinder in the sarre manner as that previously described. A braking member, e` ally indicated at is similarly provided.

The forwardly extending arc ate arms 1.3i) dirrer from tl. se previously desc in bei f' arcuate throt all their thicker dimension, rather than dat in the previous modification. In this modification a eve if?. may be employed to s ring 5.15, a; d the device may, if desired, be controlled Jfrom the other end. Also in this modification of the device, a pair of depending arcuate members carry at their lower extremities a steel plate i513 provided with bolt holes through which. pass bolts i3d for the purpose of securing to the underside of the plate i336? a length ot leather belting E35, or s rilar element which is arcuate in configuration and which is adapted to sweep the lower inner side of the pipe of the clampring in order to ensure a clean pico.

rom the foregoing it will nowic` accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and

'it there is g line-up ed in sack- Aed pipe sections,

others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made or" this inventive concept, and as many modications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

`We claim:

1l. An internally expanding line-up clamping assembly tor holding in alignment adjacent pipe sections to be welded together comprised by a first frame and a second frame detachably secured together for travel through the aligned pipe sections, arcuate pipe engaging elements mounted at the end of the first frame opposite the juncture with the second frame and radially movable into and out of engagement with the aligned pipe sections, a servocylinder mounted on the rst frame and operatively connected to said arcuate pipe engaging elements for forcing same radially outwardly into and withdrawing same inwardly from engagement with the aligned pipe sections, and a fiuid pressure system mounted on the first frame and connected to said servocylinder for operating the latter in its inward and outward movements, rollers at the front and rear ends of the first frame for facilitating the travel of the assembly through the aligned pipe sections, drive wheels on the end of the second frame opposite the juncture with the first frame, a motor mounted on the second frame and a transmission between the motor and the drive wheels.

2. An internally expanding line-up clamping assembly for holding in alignment adjacent pipe sections to be welded together comprised by a first frame having an upright plate at its rear end, a plurality of arcuate pipe engaging elements, a second frame also having an upright plate at its rear end and detachably secured at its front end to the rear end of the first frame, a spring biased stabilizing roller mounted on the upright plate on the first frame for engagement with the walls of the aligned pipe sections through which the assembly travels, a spring biased stabilizing roller mounted on the upright plate on the second frame and also engageable with the walls of the pipe sections through which the assembly travels, a servo cylinder mounted on the first frame and operatively connected to said arcuate pipe engaging elements for forcing same outwardly into and withdrawing same inwardly from engagement with the aligned pipe sections, and a fluid pressure system mounted on the irst frame and connected to said servo cylinder for operating the latter in the inward and outward movements, rollers at the front end of the irst frame and at the juncture of the first and second frames for facilitating the travel of the assembly through the aligned pipe sections, drive wheels on the end of the second frame opposite the juncture with the first frame, a motor mounted on the second frame, and a transmission between the motor and the drive wheels.

3. An internally expanding line-up clamping assembly for holding in alignment adjacent pipe sections to be welded together comprised by a first frame having an upright plate at its rear end, a second frame also having an upright plate at its rear end and detachably secured at its front end to the rear end of the first frame, a spring biased stabilizing roller mounted on the upright plate on the iirst frame and positioned along the vertical axis of the assembly for engagement with the walls of the aligned pipe sections through which the assembly travels, a spring biased stabilizing roller mounted on the upright plate on the second frame and positioned along the vertical axis of the assembly for engagement also with the walls of the aligned pipe sections through which the assembly travels, arcuate pipe engaging elements mounted at the front end of the first frame and radially movable into and out of engagement with the aligned pipe sections, a servo cylinder mounted on the rst frame and operatively connected to said arcuate pipe engaging elements for forcing same outwardly into and withdrawing same inwardly from engagement with the aligned pipe sections, and a duid pressure system mounted on the rst frame and connected to said servo cylinder for operating the latter in its inward and outward movements, rollers at the front end of the first frame arcuately spaced on the opposite sides of the vertical center line of the assembly for in part facilitating the travel of the assembly through the aligned pipe sections, rollers at the juncture of the frames also arcuately spaced on the opposite sides of the vertical center line of the assembly for further facilitating the travel of the assembly through the aligned pipe sections, drive wheels on the end of the second frame opposite the juncture with the first frame, a motor mounted on the second frame, and a transmission between the motor and the drive wheels.

4. An internally expanding line-up clamping assembly for holding in alignment adjacent pipe sections to be welded together comprising a closed box like first frame means; a cooperating self propelled unit means including a second frame means having upper guiding roller means and lower driving roller means mounted thereon, cooperating plural linkage means pivotally and detachably connecting said self-propelled unit means to the lower back end of said irst frame means; a plurality of roller means mounted on the rearward end of said first frame means and cooperating with said driving roller means for facilitating the travel of the assembly through the aligned pipe sections; a substantially coplanar internal pipe alignment clamp means mounted at the front end of said first frame means, said alignment clamp means comprising a plurality of hinged together arcuate radially clamping shoe means and radial linkage means actuating said shoe means; electromagnetic brake means to coact with the internal surface of one of said aligned pipe members, roller means mounted on the front end of said first frame means, said brake means being mounted on said first frame means intermediate said front roller means and said rearward roller means for engaging the internal side walls of the pipe sections opposite the location of said roller means, and an electrical energy means for selectively energizing said brake means.

5. An internally expanding line-up clamping assembly for holding in alignment adjacent pipe sections to be Welded together as in claim 4 including a first motor means, and gear box means cooperating with said propelled roller means, a second motor means and hydraulic means cooperating with said radial linkage means to actuate said radially clamping shoe means.

6. An internally expanding line-up clamping 'assembly for holding in alignment adjacent pipe sections to be welded together as in claim 4 including Ia hand wheel for steering the assembly through the aligned pipe sections, and control means for selectively controlling said first motor means, said second motor means and said brake means mounted on said hand wheel means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

JOHN P. CAMPBELL, MICHAEL V. BRINDISI,

Examiners. 

1. AN INTERNALLY EXPANDING LINE-UP CLAMPING ASSEMBLY FOR HOLDING IN ALIGNMENT ADJACENT PIPE SECTIONS TO BE WELDED TOGETHER COMPRISED BY A FIRST FRAME AND A SECOND FRAME DETACHABLY SECURED TOGETHER FOR TRAVEL THROUGH THE ALIGNED PIPE SECTIONS, ARCUATE PIPE ENGAGING ELEMENTS MOUNTED AT THE END OF THE FIRST FRAME OPPOSITE THE JUNCTURE WITH THE SECOND FRAME AND RADIALLY MOVABLY INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ALIGNED PIPE SECTIONS, A SERVOCYLINDER MOUNTED ON THE FIRST FRAME AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID ARCUATE PIPE ENGAGING ELEMENTS FOR FORCING SAME RADIALLY OUTWARDLY INTO AND WITHDRAWING SAME INWARDLY FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ALIGNED PIPE SECTIONS, AND A FLUID PRESSURE SYSTEM MOUNTED ON THE FIRST FRAME AND CONNECTED TO SAID SERVOCYLINDER FOR OPERATING THE LATTER IN ITS INWARD AND OUTWARD MOVEMENTS, ROLLERS AT THE FRONT AND REAR ENDS OF THE FIRST FRAME FO RFACILIATING THE TRAVEL OF THE ASSEMBLY THROUGH THE ALIGNED PIPE SECTIONS, DRIVE WHEELSE ONE THE END OF THE SECOND FRAME OPPOSITE THE JUNCTURE FRAME AND A TRANSMISSION BETWEEN THE MOTOR THE SECOND FRAME AND A TRANSMISSION BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND THE DRIVE WHEELS. 